Travelling to Zambia? Victoria Falls Is One Place You Can’t Afford To Miss

Victoria Falls in Zambia, also known as ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya (meaning the smoke that thunders),is the most attractive feature on River Zambezi. As the water flows down its 1708 meters wide cliff, a blanket of mist covers the neighbourhood making a magnificent scenery.

The blanket of mist becomes so thick that it becomes difficult to view the Victoria Falls during the rainy season. The Falls becomes dull and is not the best time to visit during the peak of the dry season. A helicopter ride or a bird’s eye view of the falls is preferred, although most people like the experience from the ground where they can feel the spray on their faces from the falls. A raincoat is recommended if you plan to view the falls from the ground because you are bound to get soaked.

The mammoth Victoria Falls Bridge that joins Zambia and Zimbabwe is situated just next to the falls. The bridge offers rewarding views of the Zambezi and the neighbouring forests. Bunjee jumping is a popular passtime at the bridge. In deed the fall is the world’s second longest bungee distance covering 111 metres long. Kariba and Cahora Bassa dams are the other significant features along the Zambezi.

The famous Victoria Falls Bridge is situated a stone throw away from the falls. The bridge joins Zambia and Zimbabwe and it offers excellent views of River Zambezi and the adjacent forests. Most visitors to the site take part in Bunjee jumping activity – a popular leisure activity at the bridge. At 111 metres long, Victoria Falls is the world’s longest bungee distance. Other interesting sites that can be spotted from the bridge include Cahora Bassa and Kariba dams.

River Zambia has some of the most fascinating wildlife viewing opportunities in Southern Africa and this is due to the large number of national parks positioned along its course. They include Mana pools park, Zambezi and of course the Victoria Falls National Park.

Besides boasting a huge number of attractions, the Zambezi offers unlimited accommodation options. These range from luxury hotels to outdoor tents, hence the destination suits travellers of all budgets. Victoria Falls, Royal Livingstone and Thorn Tree Lodge are the most preferred hotels in the area.

Thinking of travelling to Victoria Falls? Visit the author’s Travel to Africa website where you will find useful information on Victoria Falls Travel including Victoria Falls Safari, Victoria Falls Flights and hotels. Africapoint.com is an Africa travel portal that has helped thousands of travelers discover Africa.

African Wildlife Safari: Enjoy the Finest at Kruger National Park

Kruger National Park, the oldest and most popular game park in South Africa, is undoubtedly the best place to observe African wildlife. Every year, about one million travelers visit this wildlife sanctuary, attesting to Kruger’s claim to the top spot. Kruger’s history dates back to 1898 when the Sabi Game Reserve was established to stem the destruction of the wildlife by hunters. Paul Kruger was at that time the President of the Transvaal Republic, which later became part of the Union of South Africa. The park was later named after him.

The Kruger ecosystem is widely varied, with six rivers spawning the 16 vegetation zones in the park. With an average altitude of 269 meters above sea level, the park is mostly flat. Kruger occupies a vast stretch of land from the Crocodile river in the south, running 350km along the South Africa-Mozambique border, to the Limpopo River in the north.

The lush and wooded Mpumalanga region in the south of of this 20,000 sq km reserve is the most popular with visitors. Five gates give you access to this area: Crocodile Bridge, Phabeni, Paul Kruger, Numbi, and Malelane. For the more adventurous travelers, the arid northern and central sections in the Limpopo region are ideal destinations. An air of mystery is associated with this region, and as a result has fewer visitors. The Orpen and Phalaborwa gates are its main access points.

The great wildlife diversity is what makes Kruger the most celebrated national park in South Africa. The hundreds of species found here include 114 reptiles, 147 mammals, 49 fish, 507 birds, and 336 tree species. Kruger is without doubt the best place to view the African big five ” Lion, Leopard, Rhino, Elephant, and Buffalo.

In addition to the big five, the other abundant animals include hippos, giraffes, baboons, impala, warthogs, and zebra. Together with the plant life, these animals form complete food chains, attracting many researchers conducting scientific studies of animal behavior.

You can access Kruger through nine gates, which are connected to the national road network by tarred roads. From Pafuri Gate in the north to Malelane Gate in the south is a 414 km drive. Once inside the park, it is obligatory to take a game drive. You may chose either a self-navigated game drive, or take a ranger guide as an escort. Kruger allows night game drives, when you can encounter nocturnal animals- bush babies, leopards, hyenas, owls and nightjars.

Most visitors take game drives aboard a vehicle on regular trails. But ranger guided walking safaris are available to more adventurous spirits. On any of the seven guided wilderness trails for walkers, you take in nature’s aromas as you view game up close. The trails include three nights stay in a wilderness camp. This option is quite popular and early booking is advised.

There are several means of getting to Kruger national park including scheduled flights from Cape town, Johannesburg, or Durban. The main airports where Kruger flights land are Kruger/Mpumalanga International airport, Phalaborwa airport, and Hoedspruit airport. Chartered flights are also available to the above airports and to the East Gate airport, from where you can also hire rental cars for your safari. Accommodation in Kruger ranges from self-catering and camping sites to more expensive luxury lodges, catering to different likes and budgets of travelers.

Seychelles Island – A Leading Luxury Safari Destination in Africa

Among all holiday destinations in Africa, the Seychelles archipelago ranks as one of the most popular. The archipelago comprises 115 granitic and coralline islands and is situated in the Indian Ocean. Seychelles Islands are particularly preferred by visitors looking for a serene environment for a luxury beach holiday or the ideal Africa honeymoon vacation.

Placed 4 degrees south of the Equator, between 480 km and 1600 km off the coast of East Africa, Seychelles is home to some of the most uncrowded and picturesque beaches in the world. These beaches include Anse Source d’Argent the famous beach on La Digue that is framed by impressive granite rocks, Anse Cocos on the eastern coast of La Digue – accessible only by foot and Anse La Reunion placed along its shore on The La Digue Island (the fourth largest island in Seychelles). Other beaches are Anse Patates lying on the northern most tip of the La Digue, Anse a la Mouche situated on the south western coast of Mahe, Anse Union, and Anse Forbans among many others.

La Digue, Praslin, and Mahe Islands form the cultural heart of Seychelles. The many other remaining islands extend in a gleaming arc towards the East African coast, and are often referred to as the outer islands. Among these outer Islands, only Alphonse and Desroches have accommodation facilities for tourists. Over the years, travelers undertaking holiday tours in Seychelles mostly visit either Mahe, La Digue, or Praslin Islands.

Mahe, measuring 28 km long and 8 km wide, is the principal island of Seychelles and the home to the Mahe International Airport. Praslin is the second popular island in Seychelles, renowned for the legendary Coco-de-mer nut that grow on ancient giant palms in the wondrous Vallee de Mai Forest. Praslin is located 44 km to the north east of Mahe and it features exquisite beaches such as Anse Boudin, Anse Georgette, Anse Lazio, Anse La Farine, Anse Possession, Anse Matelot, Grand Anse, Anse Volbert, Anse Kerlan. On the other hand, time seems to stand still on La Digue where on-carts hold sway on the paths to the dream beach of Anse La Source d’Argent.

International arrivals are received at the Mahe International Airport – the hub of Air Seychelles. Air Seychelles is the national airline of the Republic of Seychelles. The airline connects Mahe with 4 European Capitals and 3 major cities around the Indian Ocean on a weekly basis. Air Seychelles also operates numerous inter island flights every day. Although there is a helicopter service between Mahe, the main island, Silhouette, Fregate and North Island, flights can also be arranged by Seychelles hotels on request.

In addition to the world famous beaches of Seychelles, there are numerous attractions that fascinate visitors to the Seychelles islands. These include the legendary Vallee de Mai, Aldabra, Aride Island, Ile Coco Marine National Park,and Curieuse Island among others. The Vallee de Mai, once thought to be the Garden of Eden, and legendary Aldabra, the world’s largest raised coral atol, are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. On its part, Aride Island is said to be one of the world’s most important Nature Reserve. The island is home to breeding seabirds of ten species endemic birds such as Magpie Robins, Fodies, Brush Warblers.

Seychelles Islands have a tropical climate. Between the months of October and March, during the North West trade winds, the weather is warm and humid and the sea generally calm. Visitors to the Islands can move around relatively easily with the aid of the self explanatory map of Seychelles.